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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — When Brandon Clark came to Erin as an assistant coach at Houston County he was made aware of a Stewart County defender named Chanz Swartz.

Swartz was a two-time all-state player and was in the midst of leading the Rebels during the program's most successful stretch of football in school history. Clark was helping the Fighting Irish devise plans that would limit Swartz's effectiveness.

It never worked. In Swartz's four years at Stewart County as a player he never lost to a Houston County team. Now Swartz is the head coach in Dover and looking to return the Rebels to past glory as the two old rivals face off at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Erin at the old football stadium, currently Houston County Middle School.

Last year, the Fighting Irish came into Dover and walked away with a 16-14 win courtesy of a late-game touchdown that devastated the Rebels. Now Stewart County will travel to Erin to try to do the same to the Irish.

Both teams began the season last week with losses. Houston County lost to East Robertson 23-20 while Stewart County was smashed by Montgomery Central 31-7. Trying to avoid an 0-2 start may be more important in the grander scheme than winning a game against your most heated rival.

However, it is Stewart-Houston week and maybe winning a state championship takes a back seat to Irish-Rebel bragging rights.

Clarksville High (0-1) at Kenwood (1-0), 7 p.m.

What it means: This may be the biggest game in town Friday.

Clarksville High should be highly motivated after traveling to Station Camp last week and failing to even reach the end zone in a 34-0 loss. But Clarksville will have to find a way to defend one of the state's top running backs in Kenwood's Antwuan Branch.

If anyone was wondering if Branch had enough in him for an encore to last year's 2,500-plus rushing yards, take note. He had 204 yards rushing against West Creek in the Knights' 18-7 win last week. And he did that against a team that made no secret its only goal was to stop Branch.

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Kenwood will face Clarksville High in a non-region football game in Week 2 of the high school season Friday at 7 p.m. at Knights Stadium.(Photo: George Robinson / File / The Leaf-Chronicle)

Northeast (1-0) at Father Ryan (1-0), 7 p.m.

What it means: Northeast got past Sycamore last week 19-7 to start the season. The Eagles have won five of their last seven games dating back to a Dickson County win Oct. 2 of last year. They face a Father Ryan team that won easily a year ago (41-6) against Northeast, and the Fighting Irish are coming off a 48-6 win last week.

Eagles quarterback Quinton Cross, known more for his running skills than passing, had a better night through the air last Friday. He threw for 127 yards and a touchdown against Sycamore. Meanwhile, Northeast's defense was solid against Sycamore but it'll have its hands full with Father Ryan Friday.

The Irish finished its win against Hillwood with only four passing attempts but ran the ball effectively, led by Jackson Byrd who ran for 123 yards and hand three scores.

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at 931-245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.